An Unfamiliar Duke by Sian Ann Bessey

Author:Sian Ann Bessey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2022-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The rain David Beckett had predicted was falling hard. Water ran down the carriage windows, obscuring Rosalind’s view of the passing landscape. Fields became a sea of green separated by hedgerows and stone walls. Trees—some of them standing alone, others clustered in thick groves—appeared like tall, dark scarecrows, their foliage sparse and their branches wet.

“I am sorry that the horses had to come out in such weather,” Rosalind said. Sebastian had been unusually quiet since they’d entered the carriage, and reverting to talking about the weather seemed a good ploy.

“There is no need to apologize. I think the horses rather like the wet, and they certainly enjoy being outside the stables.”

“Perhaps it is the driver who deserves my commiseration, then.”

Sebastian offered her the ghost of a smile before turning to peer out of the window again. “Perhaps. Although I am more worried about the Becketts than I am about the driver. Perkins will return to a dry room when this errand is over. If the patch on the roof does not hold out the rain, the Becketts will be unable to escape it.”

“Is there nowhere else they can go?”

“I offered them temporary lodging at Finley Park last night, but David would have none of it.”

“Ah. So not even shepherds are immune to the downfall of pride?”

“It would appear that way.”

“Well, if Mr. Beckett shows any sign of preventing us from delivering the basket to his family, I shall expect you to hold his attention whilst I hand out apples and pork pies to his wife and children.”

Sebastian chuckled softly. “Why do I get the feeling that refusing your gift is not an option open to Mr. Beckett?”

Rosalind leaned back against the seat, a smile tugging at her lips. “Because after these last few days together, you are coming to know your wife.”

The carriage crested the hill, and suddenly, the cottage was before them. Rosalind moved closer to the window. A large tree, split down the center, stood beside the front gate. A pile of branches chopped into an assortment of sizes lay at its base. Twigs, leaves, and splinters of wood floated in the rain puddles along the path that led from the gate to the front door, and on the roof, an assortment of large rocks sat in a roughly circular shape atop mismatched strips of timber.

“It appears that the covering has stayed on, at least,” Sebastian said. His gaze was on the roof. “Whether or not it is watertight, however, remains to be seen.”

The carriage came to a halt opposite the gate, and a moment later, Perkins opened the door. Sebastian exited, then turned around and reached for the basket on the carriage floor with one hand before extending the other to Rosalind. She took it, and he tightened his fingers around hers as she dismounted.

“Mama! Come quickly!”

At the sound of a child’s voice, Rosalind looked toward the house. The front door was now open, and a young girl of four or five years of age was standing in the doorway, staring at them.

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